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The best martial arts facilities in Toronto promise to boost your fitness, gain self-defense skills, and prepare you to kick some serious butt. Whether you're looking to go pro or merely yearning to get away from your boring treadmill/free weights routine, these Toronto gyms offer a huge variety of programs in different training styles.

If you're not sure which is for you, most of these gyms offer free trial periods so you can try before you buy. So everyone (shout out to the ladies!) take note, because you just never know when a certain someone may need a swift kick to the you-know-where.

Krudar Muay Thai

With two Toronto locations, Krudar Muay Thai promises a fun and innovative workout, while keeping to the muay Thai training core. Their Kensington Market location has a ring and open class studio as well cardio and weight equipment to further sculpt those muscles. With classes primarily set around Muay Thai training, they also offer spinning, boot camp, yoga and private training, leaving you with plenty of options to let out those daily aggressions.

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Xtreme Couture

Etobicoke's Xtreme Couture bills themselves as Canada's largest MMA training facility, with a massive 33,000 sq. ft. space. The industrial looking facility offers a large variety of martial arts classes each week, including BJJ, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, muay Thai, Krav Maga and MMA. Other classes on tap are spinning, Zumba, yoga, and even crossfit, for all you fitness extremists.

Toronto BJJ

Sitting across from Christie Pits, this 9000 sq. ft. facility is where you should go if you're even the most hesitant Brazilian jiu jitsu beginner. With instructors that hold World Championship titles and black belts, you'll definitely be learning from the best. There are also several women's only classes, so the ladies can get their fight on in the most comfortable setting.

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Undisputed MMA

This gym near Eglinton and Victoria Park offers a well-rounded variety of martial arts classes, including muay Thai, boxing, Kali/Arnis, BJJ, wrestling and ladies' kickboxing. For extra sculpting, they offer a class with perhaps the most underrated gym tool, the kettlebell - it's guaranteed to work your body from head to toe.

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TKMT Academy

With three conveniently located facilities in Toronto (downtown, midtown, and the Danforth), the Toronto Kickboxing and Muay Thai Academy promises that you won't find any 'meatheads' at their gym (ladies, rejoice). In fact, 50% of their members are female. Creating a setting that's comfortable for everyone, you won't be intimidated to try one of their various kickboxing classes at different levels of expertise.

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Elite Martial Arts

Located inside Wynn Fitness Studio on the Esplanade, Elite Martial Arts is an official Krav Maga training centre, certified by the Krav Maga Association of Canada. The Israeli self-defense system recognizes that there are no actual rules when it comes to street fighting - so if you're looking to gain some serious self-defense skills, or even weapons defense training, this is the place to go.

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Krav Maga Toronto

Krav Maga Toronto on Dundas West is one of two certified Krav Maga training centers, both affiliated with different organizations. In addition to separate programs geared toward fitness or fighting, they also have a self-defense course aimed at women.

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FightClub (Donlands)

If the name doesn't draw you in ('cause you so want to be as badass as Brad Pitt), this East York gym's focus on Systema training will. They're only one of three clubs in Toronto that offers the Russian martial art, which is marked by its focus on ensuring neither you nor your sparring partner is hurt. Classes are kept small, so you won't feel crowded while fighting.

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Axe Capoeira

If Afro-Brazilian martial arts is more your cup of tea, then Axe Capoeira on St. Clair West is the place to be. The gym offers introductory, beginner and advanced classes for adults, as well as sesions for kids. If you're more of a lover than a fighter, they also offer samba and music classes, keeping to their Brazilian roots.

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Ultimate Martial Arts

With a number of locations in Toronto and around the GTA, Ultimate Martial Arts promises that its classes will challenge your body in a way you've never experienced. The co-ed classes (with a women's-only kickboxing option) let practictioners of all skill levels take on a partner in wrestling, grappling, kickboxing, and jiu jitsu.

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Headrush Training Centre

If you're after a truly authentic boxing experience, Headrush Training Centre (formerly Grants MMA Gym) is where you'll want to put on your gloves. Located in a warehouse on the outskirts of North York, this facility features a boxing ring, an octagon, and number of bags. Their highly-skilled instructors will be able to show both pros and newbies the ropes.